The following information (Health Effects, Handling/Disposal, and Ingredients) is taken from the product label and/or the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) prepared by the manufacturer. The National Library of Medicine does not test products nor does it evaluate information from the product label or the MSDS. (What is an MSDS?)

Health Effects

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Acute Health Effects:

From MSDS:
Hazard Identification
Potential Health Effects
Route(s) of Entry: Inhalation, Skin, Ingestion
Product becomes alkaline when exposed to moisture. Exposure can dry the skin, cause alkali burns and affect the mucous membranes. Dust can irritate the eyes and upper respiratory system. Toxic effects noted in animals include, for acute exposures, alveolar damage with pulmonary edema.
Signs and Symptoms of Exposure: Symptoms of excessive exposure to the dust include shortness of breath and reduced pulmonary function. Excessive exposure to skin and eyes especially when mixed with water can cause caustic burns as severe as third degree.
Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure: Individuals with sensitive skin and with pulmonary and/or respiratory disease, including, but not limited to, asthma and bronchitis, or subject to eye irritation, should be precluded from exposure. Exposure to crystalline silica or the disease silicosis is associated with increased incidence of scleroderma, Tuberculosis and possibly increased incidence of kidney lesions.

Chronic Health Effects:

From MSDS:
Dust can cause inflammation of the lining tissue of the interior of the nose and inflammation of the cornea. Hypersensitive individuals may develop an allergic dermatitis.

Carcinogenicity:

Portland cement may contain 0.75 % insoluble residue. A fraction of these residues may be free crystalline silica. Respirable crystalline silica (quartz) can cause silicosis, a fibrosis (scarring) of the lungs and possibly cancer. There is evidence that exposure to respirable silica or the disease silicosis is associated with an increased incidence of Scleroderma, tuberculosis and kidney disorders.
NTP: Known carcinogen
OSHA: Not listed as a carcinogen
IARC Monographs: Group 1 Carcinogen
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (--IARC--) concluded that there was --sufficient evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of crystalline silica in the forms of quartz or cristobalite from occupational sources--, and that there is --sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of quartz or cristobalite.-- The overall IARC evaluation was that --crystalline silica inhaled in the form of quartz or cristobalite from occupational sources is carcinogenic to humans (Group 1).-- The IARC evaluation noted that --carcinogenicity was not detected in all industrial circumstances or studies. Carcinogenicity may be dependent on inherent characteristics of the crystalline silica or on external factors affecting its biological activity or distribution of its polymorphs.--

First Aid:

Eye contact: Immediately flush eye thoroughly with water. Continue flushing eye for at least 15 minutes, including under lids, to remove all particles. Call physician immediately.
Skin contact: Wash skin with cool water and pH-neutral soap or a mild detergent. Seek medical treatment if irritation or inflammation develops or persists. Seek immediate medical treatment in the event of burns.
Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air. If breathing is difficult, administer oxygen. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. Seek medical help if coughing and other symptoms do not subside. Inhalations of large amounts of Portland cement require immediate medical attention.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. If conscious, have the victim drink plenty of water and call a physician immediately.

MSDS Date:

2012-06-21

Handling/Disposal

Handling:

Do not allow water to contact the product until time of use. DO NOT BREATHE DUST.

Disposal:

The packaging and material may be land filled; however, material should be covered to minimize generation of airborne dust.